My thoughts on the Phillies season.

The Phils starts off their important road trip by breaking up a tie with two eighth inning runs as they defeat the Braves, 4-2.

Two runs in the eighth inning leads to a win in Atlanta as the Phils defeat the Braves, 4-2.

The Phils took the lead in the fourth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Ty Wigginton hits a two-run single to left, as the ball gets past left fielder Martin Prado for a two-base fielding error, knocking in Placido Polanco, who had earlier singled, then stopped at third base on Hunter Pence’s double, and Pence, who had just doubled, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead, before stopping at third base on Prado’s error. The Braves got a run back in their half of the fourth as, with one man out, Brian McCann hits a solo home run, his fourth home run of the season, making it a 2-1 Phils’ lead. The Braves would tie the game up at two-all in the sixth as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Freddie Freeman, a walk by McCann, moving Freeman up to second base, and a single by Matt Diaz, moving both runners up a base, and with one man out, Juan Francisco hits a sacrifce fly, scoring Freeman. The Phils retook the lead in the eighth as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, pinch hitter John Mayberry, Jr., who had earlier doubled, then stopped at third base on Jimmy Rollins’ single, would score the go-ahead run on pitcher Jonny Venters’ wild pitch as Polanco struck out for the inning’s second out, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead, while Rollins, who had just singled, moved up to second base. The Phils then took a 4-2 lead two batters later as, with men once again on the corners, after Shane Victorino had hit an inflield single, sending Rollins on to third base, and with still two men out, Pence hits an RBI single, scoring Rollins, while sending Victorino over to third base. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon would come in and record his ninth save of the year by throwing a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out Michael Bourn, swinging, to end the game.

Cole Hamels gets a no-decision as he went six innings, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out six. Antonio Bastardo gets the win (1-0, 4.15) as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Chad Qualls collected his sixth hold of the season as he threw a scoreless inning, as he gave up two hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his ninth save of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Brandon Beachy also received a no-decision as he threw seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, while he struck out two. Jonny Venters (2-1, 1.93) took the lost as he pitched two-thirds of an inning as he gave up two runs on four hits and a wild pitch, while he struck out one. Kris Medlen pitched one and one-thirds scoreless innings, giving up two hits, while striking out a batter.

The Phils had eleven hits in the ballgame, with Jimmy Rollins (Singles) and Hunter Pence (Single, Double, RBI) leading the team with two hits apiece. Placido Polanco (Single), Shane Victorino (Single), Ty Wigginton (Single, 2 RBIs), Laynce Nix (Double), Carlos Ruiz (Single), Freddie Galvis (Single) and pinch hitter John Mayberry, Jr. (Double) had the other seven Phils’ hits. The other Phil run came in on a wild pitch. The Phils also had a stolen base (Rollins (5)) in the game.

The Phils (12-12, 4th) continue their series with the Braves (14-10, 2nd) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Turner Field, and is set to start at 7:10 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound their ace Roy Halladay (3-2, 1.05), who is coming off a lost against the Cubs on April 27, where he went seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, while he struck out five, in the Phils’ 5-1 lost. He will for the third time be going for his fourth win of the season, hoping that this time the offense will back him up. The Braves will counter with Tommy Hanson (3-2, 3.00), who is coming off a win against the Pirates on April 27, as he went six innings, giving up a run on six hits and three walks, while he struck out five, in the Braves’ 6-1 win. He is also going for his fourth win of the season, while he prepares to face the Phils. The Phils will be out to win their second straight road series, while trying once again to get over .500.

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